Before patronizing a new business, it's a good idea to check it out online to see what other customers are saying about it. But remember it's the Internet - you can't believe everything you read.

The New York attorney general's office said Monday it had wrapped up an investigation into fake online positive reviews being posted on popular consumer websites like Yelp, Goggle Local and CitySearch.

It said 19 businesses agreed to pay combined fines of about $350,000.

"Consumers rely on reviews from their peers to make daily purchasing decisions on anything from food and clothing to recreation and sightseeing," Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement. "This investigation into large-scale, intentional deceit across the Internet tells us that we should approach online reviews with caution."

While this investigation was based in New York, you'd be naive to think this kind of stuff doesn't happen elsewhere, too, including Pennsylvania.

Keep this in mind when you're reviewing companies online. But also keep in mind that negative reviews you see could be fake, too. They could be written by disgruntled former employees, or even competitors.

While online reviews can be valuable, because of possible manipulation like this they shouldn't be the only homework you do. The best source of information often is a friend, neighbor or relative who can give you an unbiased opinion about a business.

I wrote a column earlier this year about how you can look for information on businesses. Read it here.